On "Home" Libraries -- March 13, 2023

I have / have had / had a huge library over the years but we simply ran out of room. I have given away a lot of books and packed away a lot more in storage.

But now I have a new "library" paradigm.

My old "library" paradigm: keep all books that I've that acquired on bookshelves so they are all readily available and readily seen by others.

New paradigm: keep minimum number of books on bookshelves.

Reasoning:

• I don't need a library; there are many libraries available (public libraries, virtual libraries, Amazon, Powell Books in Portland, OR); I can find any book I want -- with some exceptions
• in the big scheme of things, I generally go back and re-read only a few books, and I generally know which books I will be re-reading; those I keep on bookshelves;
• with so little time to read each day, and so little time left in life (at age 72, this year), I want to keep only the new books (currently reading, and will read) on the bookshelves
• after watching a few talking heads on television, I have an additional thought on "home" libraries but will keep those thoughts to myself: I don't want to offend anyone. 
  

I have started something new.  I'm putting together small libraries of books that I think are important for our grandchildren to read; some of those libraries will be virtual (lists) while other libraries will be kept on the bookshelves, grouped together; these small libraries will be limited to a handful of books.

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Book Banning in High School

 

I've never understand all the "controversy" over "banning books in high school."

I come from the school of Mark 12:17. 

No school can afford every book ever published. School boards set a budget for the library, and the "school" decides what books to purchase or allow to be donated.

If a student has literally read every book in the school library and seeks additional books the school does not have, the books are readily available almost everywhere. Including on the internet at no cost.